The Body Has Grown Slightly Larger

AudiA4The A4 Avant, the station wagon version of the A4, has undergone a full model change. Sales in Japan began in April 2016. The fifth-generation A4 Avant maintains its stylish exterior while emphasizing its enhanced automatic safety features and significant improvements in fuel efficiency as key selling points.

The lineup for the new Audi A4 Avant is as follows:

A4 Avant 2.0TFSI (5.47 million yen)
A4 Avant 2.0TFSI quattro (6.26 million yen)

The A4 Avant 2.0TFSI is front-wheel drive, powered by a 2-liter four-cylinder engine producing a maximum output of 140 kW (190 ps) and a peak torque of 320 Nm. It utilizes the Atkinson cycle. Meanwhile, the A4 Avant 2.0TFSI quattro features a full-time 4WD system. Despite its 2-liter displacement, it offers higher power, with a maximum output of 185 kW (252 ps) and a peak torque of 370 Nm.

The new A4 Avant's body is slightly larger. At 4,735mm, its length has increased by 15mm compared to the previous model. The width is also up by 15mm, while the height has decreased by 10mm. The wheelbase has been extended by 15mm to 2,825mm. Conversely, the weight has been reduced, reportedly by up to 120kg. The suspension system has also been completely redesigned, with both the front and rear now featuring a five-link setup instead of struts. Audi explains this balance was chosen to optimize handling and ride comfort.

Styling Instantly Recognizable as Audi

Even with the new generation, the A4 Avant maintains its distinctive styling identity, immediately recognizable as an Audi. This includes the Singleframe grille, the slightly raked rear tailgate, and the profile with its 2:1 ratio of body to cabin volume. The Singleframe grille, similar to the recently released sedan, now features sharper angles, emphasizing its modernity along with the redesigned headlamps.

The fenders, which Audi calls clamshells for how they wrap around the sides, are complemented by a character line that runs smoothly from the fenders to the rear, creating a sense of dynamism. The large-looking wheel arches also contribute to its powerful stance. Its unique character lies in being a highly personal station wagon that encourages sporty driving.

The interior design has also been completely revamped, adopting the same theme as the previously released sedan, which creates a very pleasing sense of spaciousness. The dashboard is now more horizontal, and the air vents are elongated rather than circular, extending widely across the dashboard. It is both functional and aesthetically pleasing as an interior design. The center tunnel houses a newly designed, user-friendly gear selector and the Audi MMI (Multi Media Interface) controller.

"The interior dimensions have increased in every aspect compared to the previous model." This statement from Audi's documentation holds true; both front and rear seats offer ample space. The rear seats provide more than enough room for two adults.

The Driving Dynamics Have Improved Dramatically

We test-drove the A4 Avant 2.0TFSI quattro (6.26 million yen), which uses the MLB Evo platform designed for longitudinally mounted engines. The 1984cc 4-cylinder engine produces a maximum output of 185 kW (252 ps) between 5,000-6,000 rpm, and a peak torque of 370 Nm between 1,600-4,500 rpm.

The initial acceleration is remarkably smooth. The weight reduction of up to 120kg may also contribute to this. The car feels agile from the start. Furthermore, the maximum torque available from low RPMs proves effective. The 7-speed dual-clutch "S tronic" transmission efficiently utilizes engine speed, and selecting "Dynamic" mode in the "Audi Drive Select" system offers a sportier acceleration feel. While the previous A4 Avant featured a continuously variable transmission, the switch to a dual-clutch system has significantly increased the sense of directness and dramatically improved the driving dynamics.

The full-time 4WD quattro system typically distributes 60 percent of the torque to the rear wheels during normal driving. This aligns with Audi's recent trend of prioritizing driving enjoyment, and it's a key difference from the front-wheel-drive version. There are valid reasons why users seeking a "fun to drive" experience opt for quattro. Of course, quattro is also fully prepared for any situation, with torque variably distributed – up to 70 percent to the front and up to 85 percent to the rear, depending on conditions.

The steering wheel is set to be relatively light, yet the car's responsiveness is high, which is another pleasingly sporty characteristic. The suspension is not overly stiff, keeping the car flat. It also incorporates "Wheel Selective Torque Control," which automatically controls the brakes on the inner wheels during cornering to maintain neutral line-taking.

Comprehensive Advanced Safety Features

The spacious rear seats contribute to the premium feel, and the overall design is highly commendable. The value it offers is its suitability for everyday use by a family of four, regardless of age, combining the practicality of a station wagon with coupe-like styling that avoids being purely utilitarian. The concept of skillfully navigating the boundaries remains strong.

The new A4 Avant is also equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features. "Audi pre sense basic" tightens seatbelts and closes windows in potential collision situations. "Audi pre sense city" uses automatic braking to avoid or mitigate collisions with surrounding vehicles and pedestrians at speeds up to approximately 85 km/h. "Audi active lane assist" provides warnings and automatic steering intervention to keep the vehicle within its lane at speeds between 60 km/h and 250 km/h.

Additionally, "Adaptive Cruise Control" includes a stop-and-go function for following the vehicle ahead, and its functionality is expanded by "Traffic Jam Assist," which provides follow-driving and automatic steering control in slow-moving traffic. Other available features include "Audi Parking System" for automatic steering during parking, "Audi Side Assist" for detecting approaching vehicles in blind spots, and "Audi pre sense rear" for similar detection when reversing. A wide array of safety equipment is offered.

Fuel consumption has also been significantly improved. The A4 Avant 2.0TFSI quattro achieves 15.5 km/ℓ (JC08 mode). Meanwhile, the front-wheel-drive A4 Avant 2.0TFSI boasts 18.4 km/ℓ, thanks to a higher compression ratio and more precise control of intake and exhaust valve timing. Audi Japan states this represents a 33 percent improvement over the previous model and is "top-class for a 2-liter gasoline engine."

Sitting in the driver's seat, one feels calm and comfortable. The high-quality interior, the drivetrain that communicates effectively with the driver, and the array of safety features all contribute to a car that you will likely grow to love the more you drive it. The strengths of Audi are clearly carried over to the new A4 Avant.

Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSI | Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSI
Body Dimensions | Length 4,735 x Width 1,840 x Height 1,455 mm *Sport -20mm
Wheelbase | 2,825mm
Weight | 1,580kg
Engine | 1,984 cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Intercooled Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Compression Ratio | 11.8
Maximum Output | 140 kW (190 ps) / 4,200-6,000rpm
Maximum Torque | 320 Nm (32.6 kgm) / 1,450-4,200rpm
Transmission | 7-speed DSG (S tronic)
Drivetrain | FF
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Discs / Discs
Suspension Front/Rear | Wishbone type / Wishbone type
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.5 meters
Trunk Capacity | 405-1,510 ℓ
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 18.4 km/ℓ
Steering Position | Right
Price | (2.0TFSI) 5.47 million, (2.0TFSI Sport) 5.85 million yen


Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSI quattro | Audi A4 Avant 2.0TFSI quattro
Body Dimensions | Length 4,735 x Width 1,840 x Height 1,455 mm *Sport -20mm
Wheelbase | 2,825mm
Weight | 1,680 kg
Engine | 1,984 cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Intercooled Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Compression Ratio | 11.8
Maximum Output | 185 kW (252 ps) / 5,000-6,000 rpm
Maximum Torque | 370 Nm (37.7kgm) / 1,600-4,500 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed DSG (S tronic)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Discs / Discs
Suspension Front/Rear | Wishbone type / Wishbone type
Minimum Turning Radius | 5.5 meters
Trunk Capacity | 405-1,510 ℓ
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 15.5 km/ℓ
Steering Position | Right
Price | (2.0TFSI quattro) 6.26 million yen, (2.0TFSI quattro Sport) 6.53 million yen